Last week, MDA National president Dr Michael Gannon defended the organisation’s decision to pull cover for GPs and other private specialists who initiate hormone therapy for under-18s with gender dysphoria.

Although it does not constitute a blanket ban on gender-affirming care, the policy decision has still rattled GPs treating gender diverse patients.

Sydney GP Dr Portia Predny, who is vice president of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH), says the move does not reflect the reality faced by frontline doctors and will exacerbate waitlists for paediatric gender clinics.

MDA National announced last week that, from 1 July, they would no longer be providing cover for private practitioners who initiate hormone therapies in gender diverse patients under the age of 18.